Green jobs grow in the sunlight

WHERE else would a solar business set up shop than a place called the Sunshine Coast?

But the official opening of Ingenero’s new Warana premises yesterday did more than just create a nice opportunity for word play.

It was a chance to celebrate the 14 extra jobs created by the move, a moment for council to hold the company up as a prime example of the type of business it wants to attract here, and a small step towards satisfying its goal of making ours the most sustainable region in Australia.

“This business is focused on sustainability, it was born on the Coast and is determined to stay here,” mayor Bob Abbot said.

“The Sunshine Coast now has the ability, the infrastructure and indeed the experienced staff to make a business like this work into the future.

“They’ve taken a niche in the market, they’ve grabbed it and they’ve run with it and I say congratulations to them all,” Mr Abbot said.

Ingenero merged with Noosa-based SolarPay in August.

The company is involved in the Sunshine Coast Environment Council’s successful 1000 roof solar challenge on the Coast – a project supported by the Daily.

The company’s Warana office handles the residential solar power and hot water market and also includes a call centre taking Australia-wide inquiries. Head office in Brisbane looks after the commercial and industrial sectors.

“Certainly there’s been some continued government support (rebates), although it’s been sporadic and we still think they could be doing a lot more than they are, but there is also a general awareness that the cost of electricity is going to increase.”

Mr McRae said the extra 14 jobs, which came in the past fortnight, was just the tip of the iceberg.